Kiss the Earl (33 page)

“Patrick, hurry up. We're going to be late!”

Ella was bent over, tying the laces of her bright blue Chucks. The new pink streak in her hair was hanging exactly in the way, and she dashed it back distractedly as she finished straightening the bow. There.

She stood up and turned, her rubber soles making no sound on the patterned Aubusson carpet. With a quick jerk on the bellpull, she yelled again, “Patrick, seriously, can you hurry? I don't want to get there last. Not everyone knows how we're traveling, after all.”

“One moment, Ella. My valet and I are having some difficulties with the fastening on these trousers.”

Ella couldn't stop her laugh, and she rounded the bed she and Patrick shared at Meadowfair Manor to get to the door. “They're jeans, not trousers. And that fastener is a zipper. You pull the little metal tag upward.”

A sudden thought struck her, and she dashed back toward the dressing room door. “And make sure everything is out of the wa—”

“Yeowtch!”

She winced and tried not to laugh. Getting pinched by a zipper was no fun. Hopefully there wasn't much damage.

A soft knock on the bedchamber door drew her attention. “My lady?”

“You can come in, Mrs. Templeton.”

The housekeeper didn't bat an eyelash at Ella's outfit. After all, it wasn't even close to the first time she'd seen Ella in a pair of shorts and a graphic tee. The first time, the woman had nearly passed out, but she eventually got used to the idea that her quite-odd mistress was from somewhere very different.

“I have your gift here.” Mrs. Templeton presented a prettily wrapped present to Ella, who took it gratefully.

“Thanks. Patrick and I are hopefully”—she glanced at the dressing room door pointedly—“leaving within the next five minutes. Can you lock the bedroom door behind us?”

Mrs. Templeton nodded. “Of course, my lady. Do have a safe journey.” She cast a distrustful look at the bureau in the corner of the room, its spider-webbed mirror glinting in a mysterious way.

Ella hugged her. “We will. And we'll be back tonight, so don't worry.”

Mrs. Templeton nodded and left the room just as the opposite door opened and Patrick appeared.

“Whoa,” Ella said with a grin. She'd only managed to convince Patrick to dress like a twenty-first-century guy a couple of times, but every time he did, it took her breath away.

He was wearing a pair of dark-washed jeans and a navy T-shirt that stretched over his muscles. A brown leather belt and cuff completed the outfit, but as he stood there, he raked a hand through his tousled dark-blond curls.

“I feel nude,” he said, rubbing a hand over his flat belly.

“You look delicious. Come on, the shower starts in twenty minutes, and I want to be there early.” She shoved the gift at him and grabbed his arm. “Let's go.”

They kept a small stepstool by the bureau to make it easier for the height-challenged Ella to climb through the mirror. She did so, helped by Patrick from behind, and the now-familiar tingling shot through her body as she wriggled through the repaired glass and popped out into a brightly decorated modern living room.

“Hey, Ella!” Leah grinned as she set a bowl of chips on the side table. “Good to see you, babe.”

“You too.” Ella waved, then turned to help Patrick through the glass. Well, she grabbed the gift, at least. Once he was through, she put the gift down on the already-growing pile atop Jamie's antique piano.

“How's life back in chamber-pot land?” Leah said, giving Ella a big hug.

“We actually got a real toilet installed. It almost didn't fit through the mirror.”

Leah winked. “And how are you, Lord Fairhaven?”

Patrick gave Leah a deep bow, and Ella subtly kicked him for it. “Ouch. Quite well, Mrs. Russell. And yourself?”

“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Leah?” Leah's ponytail shook as she laughed. “We're fine. Avery's around here somewhere.”

Ella glanced around Jamie's living room. “And the happy couple? Where are they?”

“We're here. Sorry, I was taking a nap and I overslept.” Jamie appeared at the top of the stairs, Micah at her side holding her hand as she carefully descended. “I get so tired lately.”

“I wonder why,” Leah said dryly as she nodded toward Jamie's big belly. “It's not like you're carrying around a linebacker.”

“It could be a petite little princess, but I doubt it.” Jamie groaned with relief as she sank into the oversized armchair in the corner.

Micah pressed a kiss to his wife's forehead. “Remain there, my love. I will get you a drink.”

Jamie smiled after him with soft eyes. “He's been the most amazing man through this whole thing.”

Patrick's fingers threaded through Ella's, and she smiled herself as her husband squeezed her hand.

Jamie crossed her legs at the ankle and pushed her dark hair back from her forehead. “Ella, I've been meaning to ask you how the new delivery system has been working out. Have you had any complaints?”

Ella shook her head. “Not at all, it's been great. With Mrs. Knightsbridge delivering them for me, the pages are getting in on time, and they've extended my contract for another year.”

Leah perked up. “Are you still on Admiral Action?”

“Yeah. They say sales have nearly doubled in the past three months, and there's talk of a movie in the works too.” Ella grinned. “Just think, maybe I'll get to drag you guys to a Hollywood premier sometime soon.”

“Freaking awesome,” Jamie said, then winced. “Damn it, this kid is going to some Irish step dancing or something when they get out. Right now they're using my rib cage for practice.”

When Micah returned, Avery and Mrs. Knightsbridge were not far behind. Between them, they carried an enormous cake.

“My husband has discovered he's pretty talented in the kitchen.” Leah nodded toward Avery.

“My wife has not,” Patrick joked. Ella elbowed him in the ribs, and he grunted good-naturedly.

“I've been banned from the kitchen by Cook. Trust me, it's for the best.”

When the food table was set up, they all sat down in the living room, Ella snuggled tight against Patrick on the piano bench. They held hands as Micah stood up and addressed the group of friends.

“You all have my thanks for being here today. Jamie and I are thrilled to welcome a child into this amazing world, and even more so with the wonderful people that are here to greet him.”

“Or her,” Jamie interjected. Micah smiled indulgently.

“Or her,” he agreed. “Before the other guests arrive, Mrs. Knightsbridge wanted to speak with you all.”

Ella squeezed Patrick's hand just a little tighter as the short woman stood and looked around the room with a special smile for each of them.

“There is much love in this room, and for that I could not be more proud or more thankful.” A little tear appeared in the corner of Mrs. Knightsbridge's eye, and she rubbed it away. “I never intended to become a matchmaker, but I cannot deny the results in this room. Ella and Patrick here are my most recent success, and I cannot imagine putting together a couple more perfect for one another.”

“Except for us,” Leah said, laying her head on Avery's shoulder.

“Or us.” Jamie looked up at Micah.

“Mrs. Knightsbridge,” Patrick said, “you have my eternal gratitude.”

“I am glad to hear that, my lord.” Mrs. Knightsbridge nodded, then looked around the room. “Oh, my darlings, to see you all so happy is the best reward I could imagine. And with that, I would like to announce my retirement as a matchmaker.”

The room fell silent for a moment, and Ella stared at the little housekeeper just like everyone else. The quiet was broken only a moment later when Jamie snorted.

“As if. I give her six months.”

“Three,” Leah interjected with a laugh. “She just can't help herself.”

“What about Iain?” Ella arched an eyebrow knowingly at the now-blushing housekeeper. “You were eyeing him pretty hard when you met him, when was it now, six months ago? You mean to tell me that you haven't been imagining who to set him up with?”

Mrs. Knightsbridge sniffed. “Jamie has run out of close friends, or that dark Scotsman would already have joined the family.”

The whole room echoed with laughter, and even Mrs. Knightsbridge joined in. But a moment later, the doorbell rang. Leah stood.

“That'll be Pawpaw.”

Mrs. Knightsbridge brightened visibly, then patted her hair. “Oh, do let me get the door.”

As she hustled from the room, Ella looked over at Leah thoughtfully. “Hey, do you think your granddad and Mrs. Knightsbridge might ever…”

Leah shrugged. “Honestly, I think they've been seeing each other on the sly for a year or more. That's probably why she wants to retire from matchmaking. She's found her own true love.”

Patrick pulled Ella closer. “Well, she has certainly done a wonderful job. I cannot blame her for the fruits of her efforts thus far, and if she chooses not to continue, it shall not alter our happiness at all.”

“Not one bit,” Ella agreed, and then kissed her husband with a smiling mouth.

She couldn't ever have imagined her life this way, but she wouldn't change it for anything.

Not anything at all.

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Kiss the Earl
by Gina Lamm.

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I started this book in the wilds of the Georgia mountains, with no Internet connection, no phone, and a deadline that wouldn't quit. In those first days, I got stuck and needed help. So thanks to my husband, Scotty, and my good friends Jodi and Gabe Ruotolo, who listened to me whine and moan and helped me get the ideas to make this story work.

Later, I wrote this book while my grandfather's health declined. I wrote in his hospital room, beside his bed while he was in hospice care, and later on his couch while the estate sale shoppers milled around. I wrote this book while my family surrounded me, while love and then sadness and finally togetherness solidified the unit that makes me whole.

So here's to you, Granddaddy, for fighting so long. We miss you.

Here's to Mom and Dad, who tirelessly took care of him and the rest of us.

Here's to my Uncle Tim and Aunt Kathy, who were there for my granddaddy, my parents, and me.

Here's to my sister, Heather, who cried with me, held my hand while we sang at his memorial, and listened to me talk about my story to get our minds off our grief.

Here's to my brother, Jason, for never failing to make me laugh.

Here's to Denise Tompkins, one of the best people God ever put on this earth, for supporting me, loving me, and never ever letting me quit.

Here's to Nicole, my agent and friend, who helped me adjust deadlines and never stops encouraging me.

Here's to Stephanie Allen, smart lady and my one and only CFF, who is always there when I need her.

Here's to Mary Altman, who picked up my worried carcass and hauled me through this book. Rebranding is a scary, scary thing, but since I “met” you, I've never worried for a second about this being the most awesome story it could be. From the bottom of my heart, Mary, THANK YOU.

And most of all, to the readers of this story. Thank you for allowing me to share my imaginary people with you. Whether you love this story or not, I hope it makes you feel, sigh, squeal, and laugh. Without you guys, I'm just a crazy lady in pajama pants with outrageous ideas.

Gina Lamm loves geekery, but don't let that fool you. She's also an overly dramatic theatre rat with a penchant for reading scary books too late at night. She bellydances too much, tweets too often, and lives her life with a passion that could be considered foolish. She's addicted to stories, and loves nothing more than penning funny, emotional tales of love, lust, and entertaining mishaps. Married to a real-life superhero, she lives with her beloved family in rural North Carolina, surrounded by tobacco farms, possums, and the occasional hurricane. When not writing, you can usually find her fishing or playing World of Warcraft. Badly. Visit her online at
www.ginalamm.net
anytime.

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For more Gina Lamm, visit:

www.sourcebooks.com

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For more Gina Lamm, visit:

www.sourcebooks.com